We finished school today, with Junior Prize-giving and below is my address which is not only relevant to the juniors but our whole community.

We have passed on our prayers and messages of support to the Christchurch Boys High School, who lost one of their teachers in an accident last weekend.

As this is written, the second of the 4 major projects is underway; the new classrooms will be completed next September. Stage 2 of the gymnasium will be completed by mid-February, so that is indeed heartening.

Last week over $100,00.00 was received or pledged to the Chapel appeal, which is most pleasing and welcome news as we close the year.

Have a happy and holy Christmas to all.

Junior Prize-giving address

Thanks to Adam and Jake and to Harry for being with us here today to carry out your final duties as the head students of the College. You have been most impressive and superb role models and examples for the boys of the College.

A warm welcome also to parents, staff and the boys of the junior school.

The video you have just seen, produced by senior boys, gives us a snapshot of the year and the myriad of activities and events that make up College life here at St Bede’s. Through it though is a theme consistent with the purpose of the College and what we aspire to be.

We are a College for all, and one where we will do everything to promote the notion that everyone matters. When I interview new students I inquire of them what they bring to the table, and in turn I promise that we will do our upmost to give every boy the opportunity to explore the gifts he brings, no matter what his ability, and to provide an environment where he can discover others gifts too. And most importantly to do this in a safe and supportive learning environment.

Over the last two years we have endeavoured to distil and encapsulate concepts we want the boys to aspire to be, and habits and attitudes we are endeavouring to instil in them.

In the programme PB4L – Positive behaviour for Learning - that we have renamed the BLE – the Bedean learning environment, our aim is to look at highlighting positive behaviours, that repeated often in their school days, help form good men, the good men we want them to be as adults when they leave. We hope that parents are starting to see the tangible signs of this in communications this year. Our aim is not only to highlight individual good habits but also to have a learning environment where everyone can flourish and realise those talents, no matter what they may be.

You’ll see this described in the strap line at the bottom of the poster up behind me.

You will notice that one of the attitudes we are trying to instil is what I alluded to earlier in the video….everyone matters.

Today though, what I’d like each of the junior boys to think about is how you are measuring up? We believe that these concepts are important in your education, do you? Are you actively looking to improve on them? Further id invite you parents to engage in the process as well…..

Let’s look at Being Courageous

When we talk of Courage we often think of physical courage. Like a gutsy performance on a sports field, or an outstanding effort under duress on the CanTeen run.

Yes they are good examples. But being courageous is more than a physical thing. Courage is standing up for a boy being picked on. Bullying in a school will only continue if good people standing by don’t do anything and allow it to continue. How many times have you seen one of your classmates picked on and not done anything about it?

It is countercultural and courageous to live as a Catholic in the secular world we live in where to get means more than to give. To give generously of your skills and talents shows courage. You are living your faith and you are honouring our motto ……

We have already talked about Everyone Matters, the video covered that.

Developing faith is the core to our existence as a Catholic College. Paying lip service to that, or dismissing this as being in the too hard basket is something that could easily happen if we let it. We endeavour to seep in or nourish our faith life by doing little things often…….the prayer at the beginning of the period and the 15 minute weekly visit in RE to the chapel are two ways. The lunches donated to children in other schools who are hungry is another way of showing our boys that the relationship they have with God is important.

We develop our faith by………

Recognising that God gives us the gift of Life

Recognising that God gives us our unique gifts which in turn we give back to him by the manner we use those gifts He has given us.

Recognising and highlighting that the relationship we nurture with God and His Son is the most important aspect for any Bedean graduate.

Embracing opportunity

Secondary School is a time to try new things and in so doing not only develop what you brought to the table at the end of year 8 but to develop other opportunities.

I was heartened when I asked the Year 10s at a singing practice earlier in the year, whether they have tried something new in their time at the college – picked up an instrument, tried a new sport etc - a good number had. That’s what we mean by embracing opportunity.

Striving to Succeed

Notice the word Striving.

Striving is not giving up

Striving is doing your best

Striving is a habit

Striving is an attitude we want you boys to take into life.

You won’t always succeed but you can gain a great deal of self-satisfaction if you have an attitude embedded in you to strive. Strive in everything……in the Chapel, in the classroom, on the sports field, in the PAC.

If that attitude is developed while at school, then you will succeed in important things in your adult life…….like being a good husband, father, employer etc etc…

So, to you Year 9s and 10s, how do you stack up after one or two years here at St Bede’s?

We think that if you are engaged in these character shaping attitudes, that we are developing you to be good men when you leave. We are endeavouring to give you a tool kit for life. But you need to engage, you need to commit, you need to show courage.

And the great thing about being part of a community like ours is that you have 800 other boys to help you on the way.

Congratulations to the prize winners today. Congratulations even more if you really earned the accolades you received today. Congratulations to those who are doing their best and are not recognised tangibly today…….stick at it your reward will come.

I want to acknowledge the following departing teachers. Nikki Campbell and Minette Pillai from the Technology Faculty, Nicole Hook from Science, John Harris from Languages and Hamish McIntyre from the Social Science and RE Faculties. Thank you for your work at St Bede’s and we wish you all the best in the future.